Australian brush fires: Police release suspect photo

Victorian police have released a composite photo of a man wanted for questioning over the Australian brush fires that killed at least 181 people and which authorities suspect may have been started by arsonists.

A composite photo supplied by VictoriaPolice of a man they want to talk to in connection with the fires

4:27PM GMT 12 Feb 2009

Police gave warning that the death toll from the fires that ravaged Victoria state last weekend could exceed 200 as fire fighters continue to battle 30 blazes across the state.

The man in the composite photo, who police say is in his early 20s and has a dark complexion, is believed to have information about a suspicious fire at Ivanhoe East, in Melbourne's north-east.

He was apparently seen in the area wearing black trousers, a polo shirt and yellow sunglasses and carrying a black rucksack.

Arson investigators are looking into several of the bush fires that destroyed more than 1,000 homes. The fire that wiped out the town of Marysville and claimed up to 100 lives has been classed as suspicious.

John Brumby, the Victorian premier, said a fire at a pine plantation at Mansfield had also been deliberately lit.